The week leading up to the Hamburger SV match was a blur of controlled chaos. The city of Dortmund was buzzing, a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. The title was within reach, so close they could almost taste it. But after the heartbreak of the Champions League, no one was celebrating prematurely. The mood was one of nervous excitement, of hope tempered by the painful memory of what could have been.
For Mateo Alvarez, the week was a delicate balancing act. His ankle was feeling stronger every day, but Dr. Müller's words of caution echoed in his mind. He trained with the first team, his every move scrutinized by the medical staff, his every touch a small victory in the long road back to full fitness. He felt good, felt ready, but he also knew that he had to be smart, that one wrong move could end his season for good.
